Provide Building Control resilience support for external commissions at Principal Level.

Job title:

Principal Building Control Surveyor

Job Description:

Role

The role of Principal Building Control Consultant requires you to be able to provide a range of professional and technical skills, to deliver duties as required under the Building Act 1984 and associated legislation and to assist in the service delivery for a diverse range of activities. The focus will be growth work centred around consultancy with established partners and external contract work.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities:

• Delivery of external contract, growth and resilience work through effective consultancy and communication;
• Lead on pre-application meetings and liaise with other agencies in a development team approach;
• Upselling of the Building Control Services, including pre-application advice and premium services, to prospective clients and established partners;
• Ensure that all works controlled under the Building Act 1984, associated legislation and regulations are undertaken in such a manner as to comply with the substantive provisions;
• Responsible for checking plans and reports as allocated by the Building Control Director and associated management team.
• Responsible for issuing decisions on delegated Building Control applications, notices and matters as allocated by the Building Control Director and associated management team.
• Provide professional advice and guidance to all users of the Building Control Services and recommend innovative and practical solutions to complex enquiries;
• To act as a specialist in terms of the Building Regulations and other allied Building Control legislation and provide advice to service users including other Local Authorities;
• Responsible for conducting site visits and taking decisions for works controlled under the Building Regulations (including cross-boundary applications);
• Evaluate high risk and major projects consistently such that supervision is not required;
• Ensure the delivery of Building Control Services to timescales and level of quality set by legislation, industry performance guidelines and internal targets;
• Ensure that personal service performance targets are consistently achieved;
• Undertake all duties in accordance with the Building Control Quality Management System and Building Control Performance Standards policy adopted;
• Undertake site inspections to determine compliance with Capita’s Considerate Contractor Scheme as required.

Team and management responsibilities:

• Contribute on the development of procedures, systems, including quality control, and guidelines for the Building Control Services;
• Prepare reports and briefing papers on behalf of the Building Control Management Team on issues and technical areas relevant to the Building Control Team;
• Assist in deputising and making decisions for the Building Control Management Team (including client management);
• Ensure safe and efficient delivery of service by achieving high standards of Health and Safety and reducing risk;
• Assist in reviewing, recommending and implementing changes to office procedures to optimise working practices.
• To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the services.

Financial responsibilities:

• Assist the Building Control Management Team in the delivery of a cost-effective services (including pre-application advice and premium services);
• Contribute to the marketing and promotion of the Building Control Services to minimise the loss of work to Approved Inspectors, other Local Authorities or private sector competitors;
• Assist in collecting site inspection charges, issuing receipts, recovery of bad debts and arrange charges in accordance with Capita’s Policy;
• Assist in preparing fee quotations, validation of complex applications and effective timesheet management/invoicing.

Staff responsibilities:

• To participate, as required, in the training, mentoring and development of team colleagues and other persons assigned to the Building Control Team.
• Undertake training and constructively take part in meetings, supervision, seminars and other events designed to improve communication and assist with the effective development of the post and Building Control Team.

The aforementioned list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and therefore, there may be other duties the prospective post holder may be required to undertake.

Requirements

Essential:

• Previous successful experience in a Building Control section of a Local Authority or similar organisation processing complex Building Regulation applications;
• Competent user of IT, its application and potential application within a Local Government environment e.g. Uniform and Microsoft Office (specifically Word, Excel and Outlook);
• Good knowledge of current Building Control legislation, guidance and issues relevant to the post specifically and the Building Control Team generally;
• An incisive and practical approach to problem solving including when to make a decision individually and when to seek assistance;
• An understanding of London or metropolitan/regional and Local Government Building Control and associated issues, policy trends and legal processes;
• Understanding of LABC initiatives such as the Partner Authority and Assured/Type Approval schemes;
• A working knowledge of sustainability issues as they relate to building construction and design;
• Effective customer care skills and ability to successfully handle clients;
• Ability to ensure that services provided are of a high quality and to agreed targets and service outcomes;
• Practical understanding of the implications of Health and Safety legislation particularly in relation to personal safety and the safety of others.

Desirable:

• Relevant building or construction related degree;
• Professional Membership, or working towards membership, of an appropriate accreditation (e.g. RICS or CABE);
• Full driving licence and personal transport;
• Able to make site inspections including the ability to climb ladders and scaffolding;
• Not active in politics to a degree breeching the legislative restrictions on this post.

Expected Behaviours

• Ability to communicate with people in a friendly and courteous manner, establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with colleagues at all levels;
• Confident in dealing with day-to-day performance issues as they arise;
• Positive approach to change, implementing new initiatives/procedures and addressing any resistance encountered;
• Good organisational skills.

Remuneration Package

• Salary negotiable, depending on level of experience and qualifications;
• 37.5 hours a week;
• Annual leave 23-27 days;
• Single annual payment towards professional fees;
• Access to many Capita benefits schemes.